Tiltable and steerable dual propeller drive for boats equipped with inboard motors



May 17, 1960 H. R. PATT JR.

Y, 2,936,730 TILTABLE AND STEERABLE DUAL PROPELLER DRIVE FOR BOATSEQUIPPED WITH INBOARD MOTORS Filed Aug. 9, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V ENTOR. Har/: y R, Pat-ily Jn flL/ffAM/Vl 2,936,730 TILTABLE AND STEERABLEDUAL PROPELLER DRIVE FOR May 17, 1960 H. R. PATTY, JR

BOATS EQUIPPED WITH INBOARD MOTORS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 9, 1957ATTORNEY May 17, 1960 H. R. PATTY, JR

TILTABLE AND STEERABLE DUAL PROPELLER DRIVE FOR BOATS EQUIPPED WITHINBOARD MOTORS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 9, 1957 ATTOF/VEY UnitedStates Patent TILTABLE AND STEERABLE DUAL PROPELLER gIIgIYROR BOATSEQUIPPED WITH INBGARD Harry R. Patty, Jr., Sapulpa, Okla.,assiguor ofone-half to Lee C. McClure, Sapulpa, Okla.

Application August 9, 1957, Serial No. 677,263 s claims. (c1. 11s- 37) fThis invention relates to a drive for boats, particularly of the motorboat class audlequipped with inboard motors.

-It is'well .known that inboard motors are most satisfactory whenconsidered from the power factor. For example, inboard motors are moredependable, simpler in design, are easily accessible vfor repairs, andeasier to ,protect from the water, corrosion, and other elements.

motors to gain thesimplicity, ease of maneuverability and elimination oftransmission troubles offered by outboard motors.

It is, therefore, the principal object of the present invention toprovide a drive for boats that are equipped with inboard motors whichhas all .the advantages of outboard power, while also attaining theadvantages afforded by an inboard motor. v

Other objects of the invention are to provide a simple, trouble freedrive that functions in the manner of the drive effected by outboardmotors, to provide a drive equipped with multiple propeller units, ltoprovide a drive which is protected from damage by floating obstructions,to provide a connection of the propellers which allows the propellers tokick out of the water, either separately or together, when struckfbyfloating objects, or to be raised manually when beaching a boat. 1

Further objects of'the invention areto provide a multiplepropeller"vdrive wherein. the propeller .units are adapted to turn on vertical axesto steerthe boat Without use of a rudder;7to provide control ofthe driveto the respective propellers whereby the Vboat may be steered equallywell in both directions; to provide ardrive of this character whereinthe thrusts of the propellers or engine torque is balanced by drivingthe propellers in opposite directions to enable the use of a simplesteering control and which may be actuated by any conventional hydraulicsteering control; to provide a common drive for the pluralityof'independent propeller units adapted to be held in alignment solely bythesteering system linkage; and to provide an inboard motor driveequipped with means for changing ythe propeller anglein relation tothebottom of the boat vto compensate for different weight loads. z

vention as hereinafter pointed out, I have provided improved structure,the preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings,wherein:

Fig. 1 is aperspective View of the stern offa boat .equipped with apropeller drive assembly embodying the features of the presentinvention.

Fig. 2 isV a horizontal section through the propeller drive assembly onthe line 2-2 of Fig. 3, particularly illustrating connection of thepower shaft with the right and left lateral or transverse shafts fordriving the right and left propeller units.

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the stern portion of a boatl andpropeller drive assembly, with one of the Y ypropeller units being shownin vertical section, the section .being taken on a line 3-3 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 4.is a transverse vertical section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.l

Fig. 5` is a fragmentary view showing the clutch collar and thehydraulic mechanism for electing forward, reverse and neutral positionsthereof. Fig-6 is a side elevational view of one of the propeller angleadjustment brackets, with parts being shown insection tobetterillustrate the construction.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary section through one of the hydraulicallyactuated steering mechanisms, the section being taken on the line 7-7 ofFig. 9.

Fig. 8 is a horizontal section on the line 8--8 of Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is avertical section at right angles to the section shown in Fig. 7, thesection being taken on the -vvrline 9-'9 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 10 isa fragmentary perspective view of the steering vane and theparts that form one of the steering vane chambers.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

1 designates a propeller driving assembly embodying -the` features ofthe present invention and showing the mounting thereof on the transom 2of a motorboat 3. The boat 3 is equipped with an inboard power unit,such as a motor whichY may be an internal combustion engine designated3', Figs. 1 and 2 for supplying power to the right and left propellerunits 4 and 5 of the assembly through a power shaft 6 that extendsthrough the transom 2 of the' boat; above the water line, as bestshownin Another object is to provide the drive with forward, e

reverse, and neutral, preferably selected by a hydraulic Y control.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a propellerdrivewherein the mountng brackets, drive shafts andcontrols areabovelthe'rwater line.

Invaccomplishing these and other objects .of theiin- Figs'. 1 and 3.Since the power'shaft 6 is located above the water line, it mayextendwith comparative freedom throughv a plain vco1lar7, which, ifdesired, may be pro- -vided with a low pressure packing.

The propeller drive assembly includes a transverse housing 8 `carryingat'the ends thereof depending tubular housings 9 and 10 of the right andleft propeller I units4 and 5, as best shown in Fig. 1. The transversevhousing includes a central or stationary section 11 composed ofcomplementary casing parts 12 and 13 that are secured together by bolts14 to form an enclosure or gear case for a cluster of gears 15. Thecasing parts are provided onthe inside 'inthe fore and aft directionthereof vwith antifrictionbearings 16 and 17 for journaling therein theend 18'of the power shaft 6. The gear ycluster includes driving gears19l and 20 that are -freelyrotatable on the power shaft 6 at the innersides of the antifriction bearings'16 and 17. The gears are of the'bevel type'and are supported in driving engagement" with driven gears 21yand 22, which are keyedlto latas-avviso i 3 35 and 36 by whichtheentire-assemb1yls'attached-to and supported by the transom 2 of theboat. The bearing collars 33 and 34 preferably comprise a seat 37 havinglegs 38 'that terminatein feet 39-'whichiare: attached to the transomof`thet'bo'at' bysuitable'fastening devices suchy as bolts 40.Theendsf132'ofthelhousing -sections 30 and 31 are retaine'din the'seatsl37 `ofthe llateral shafts Y23 and T24. The housing sections 30-and 31also include depending socket portions =48 1andfv49,

which may constitutefseparategparts that arel connected `to the gearcases by fasteningzdevicessuch as bolts 50.

The parts 48 and 49. carry -antifriction bearings-51 and '52formountingy the upper .ends'of vertical: shafts 53 and 54.Thedependinghousings9 and-101alsor include tubular leg portions.'SS'that are rotatablyfanchoredwin the sockets ,4S and 49`bypairsof'ipins 56 4and 57'that extend throughtheholes 58"'inthelwallsoflthersockets and have portions engaging ingroovesf59arranged-.substantiallytangentially'of thelegportions 55. .'.Thevlateralextensions l26^ and 27 r of the centrall housing vsectionfarefsirnilarly connected withntherl end sections -by pairsof key pins 60and 61. In this way the propeller units/4V and-5 are freel .to swingindependently of: each otherI rearwardly and upward-ly about theaxis ofVthelateral@ shafts, and to turn or oscillate within the sockets 48 and'49 without the housihg=membersj pulling apart. .The-shafts 53 and'54arepreferably in two -parts to facilitate as- 'semblyr as 1indicatedat=53'. The lower ends of the-shafts 53 and 54are mounted inbearings 51-and 52' thatare carried inA thez'loweriends, of the legs.

The lower endsI of the legs- 55 carry gear cases 62 and 63A and whichcontain at-,the respectiveforwardandrear lends thereof :antifrictionl`bearings 64 sand `65 forI journaling. propeller shafts-66 and :67,respectively. v

AThe lateral shaftsI have fixed'thereon.bevelggearsff68 andi 69 which:meshv-withbevelgearsi70 and,71. on'ithe -lupper' ends f.- of the'Iverticall .shafts-w53 and-54,t-.ftheff gears 68' andVV 691 beingarranged at the :respective ends .otv ,the lateral shafts 23 and24-wherebythe vertical-shaft53 is driven vin one. zdirection and the#other verticali; shaft -54xis1drivenin the'-opposite direction,to-vequalizetorque on thefpower shaftr6.

'The lower endsof'the verticalzshafts 53 and 54 aha-ve fixed thereto'bevel` gears 72 and A73 which` mesh -with bevel gears 74'and 75 on thepropeller 'shafts 66 and-67.` The lrearfends of the4propeller-shafts166fzand y67,-project .from the cases 62 and 63tandcarry; Propellers .76 and 77 having blades set to exert thrusts in thesame direction even though they turn'in oppositeY directions. In

this wayany tendency forone propeller Vunit tovdeviate is counteractedby the other andazsirnple-"easy acting steering mechanism may be .used'Vto; 4vhold .the;..propeller -units in the same course.

The steering Iconnection `mighti berazldirectsmechanical .1linkage, buttoi simplifylthe Fcontrolsrandg'to provide for -power steering," theconnectionlis of -liydrauliczcharacten 'The propeller unitsfcarry'f-.pistone elements.y or= varies-78V aridf 79;res'pectively,'fthat lare adapted 'to foscillatezwithin t substantiallysemicylindrical "chamberssB-and `181..;that

are provided l-'byann'ular recesses?Y ini Lthe'werticalashaft housings.

Whenithepropeller'ui'iits4 and5 are irr a straightaway directiong'thevariesV 78 land 79-eXtend vrearwardlyfwithin 'the piston "chambers" and"the f forward" Kportions rhfof 'the recesses are I.filled in ybyarcuate .blocks v82 .thatsare retained in iiXed relation within thesocket parts 48 and? 49 by fastening devices such as cap screws 83 (Fig.8). The blocks 82 are provided with ports 84 and 85 open-A ing into thepiston chambers 80 and 81 on the respective sides of the vanes78i1andf79lfor passing a hydraulic .fluid VVinto .and -outr of vtherespective chambers, .as ..latei'f f-d'esc'rlibed.

vThe ports" 84 and`f85 of one propeller unitgareeon-l nected withcorresponding ports of the other propeller vuniti by ducts-86f-andl87which :vare -connected with .iluid supply and`returnL-'.lines88'-1and'- 89 'that extend through the transomof1the^boat1and are vconnected `vvithra, source Y of pressure uid by anyconventional steering control valve (not shown),"whereby uid `may beadmitted under pressure into Vone and the other of the supply lines andexhausted from the other supply line to act on the respective sides `ofthevane vfor, steering ,.thepropeller unitsgfas .later described.

In order to selectively connect the driving gears 19 :and 201 'to thepower shafts-6,.'thezpowerl shaft 6 carries a -..clutch col1ar90:.thats' slidably keyed: to lthe power shaft atia point,intermediatethegears 19 and'20, and theends -fzoftitheiclutch collarlhave lugs 91.and 92 that are ladapted -vtosengage'corresponding kklugs93 `and- V94 on the lfacing :ifsidesrofithedrive gears, so that when thelugs at'one side f-of the collarengage 'the lugsiof .the facing gear,that gear :iisi-conneclted-vin; driving relation with the power shaft toAeffect-rotation foboth' :the Alateraltshafts in one direction, 30-.andrwhen :the lugsV at the opposite; side :of the.'v collar; .areL:engaged-with the lugszof the gear-atthatside, thatggear -fis'-vvrendered. effective tolv rotate the. Ilateralznshafts 1in-fl a; refverse.`direetion,- .thereby providingior if forward and re-;verserotationfofsthe propeliers. f s

7.Thefclutchcollar`90 may `beactua'ted by ashipper-95 .thatsoperatesthrougll a :slot 96;:in 'the r central housing parts and is connectedwith a piston 97 of a-hydraulic -sactuatonme'chanism 98. `rfha-.piston97zis slidable;in a cylinder 199 that. issuitably attached tothe-undersidefof 40rthe:centralfhonsing, parts, and theendsthereOf areconnectedqbyiductsz 1100. and;101fthat` lead 4through the ftranf-V somof the boat and are Fconnectledwwith a1-hydraulic i'eontrol valve (notshown) f. fort selectively, admitting hys-lrdraulicz: uidltozoner endand :ithe: other@ of tithe.-y cylinder zand/exhausting it frorniftheopposite end of: the` cylinder .t -to-manipu-late '.the; clutch.- and.forrlocking the spistonintan intermediateyposition .to .hold ithe;Vclutclrl collar,v in ueul'al. 11n-order thatzthezlpropeller Vvunitsamaylbe;pivot ed.to tsupporti the-propeller shaftsirat. thenproperzang-le,relative ito fvariable :loadingi-,of the boat, .eachgpropeller;` unit;Ais

braced from the boatiebyrbracearms: 102andv 103. Each @bracearmincludeseanxedztubular-partX104-f1that is at- 'iitachedLtO'Ithe ilowerfportion.of theztransom vof-the vboat fby' fasteningdeivi'ces'. 105. :Thetubular parts slidably constain the-'other `parts 106.` and4 which`parts are l adjustably J connected by .a pin" 107 that extends throughvone off a seri'esaofopenings inithetubularvpart 104 and through-an 1opening intthepart 106.

- ylivotally.mountedbymeansvofiapin 108non the rear#ends=of-the.'parts1109; are yokesf 11 0,swhich` ,yokes 1j10sare-lopen'l atthefffront' toaccon1modatetherein the depending 'shafthousingsroffthe propeller units. Toreduce 1- rfriction.' the yokesii areprovided.; at: spaced: points with :rollers-,111. Theopenwsides oftheVyokesallow the pro- 65'- pellen` units tosswingitherefrom, :asshown-iinadottedglirtes,

FigL. 3, fion-'clearing the propellernnits, as l.when -beachingtheboator .in-caser` ai oating-.object should ,'strikeoneor the other ofthe propeller units, as`later described. t

The propellei'aunitz: constructed and1 .;assembled;as described'. is.mounted von theitransonml 2 of; theysmotorboat, so that the propellerheads are in proper submergence 11 and into. the `boattrvvhere viti-iisconnected withzthetinboard motor or with a speedcontroltuuitthatis:drivenfbvsthe 75* inboardl.motor.

When the brackets 35 are secured to the transom, :the propeller units 4and 5 hang freely from the horizontal axis and may be moved in thebrackets to a position as shown in dotted lines, Fig. 3, in case, whencruising, a submerged object should strike one or *the other of theunits.

The propeller units, however, are-supported against the thrust of thepropellers by thebrace 102 and 103, so that the yokes v110 thereoembracethe leg portions 55 of the propeller units.` The-,eiective "lengthsofi-'the bracketsV are adjusted by inserting the pins 107 in the properholes of the tubularV parts 104 of the b race arms to support the.propeller shafts 66 and67 ata predetermined angle relatively to thebottom of the boat. c p

The ducts 88 and 89 are connected with the standard hydraulic steeringcontrol valve within/the boat, and the ducts 100 and 101 are connectedwith'a control valve whereby the clutch collar may befmoved from neutralposition to engage one or the other of the driving gears 19 and 20, aswhen the boat -is to be moved in aforward direction or in a reversedirection. v f 4 As above stated, the leg portions of the propellerunits are swivelly retained within the sockets 48 and 49 so that theymay turn therein and in the yokes of the brace arms 102 and 103. j

When pressure uid is admitted through the ports 84 and exhausted fromthe ports `85, the propeller units are caused to turn in a anticlockwisedirection, and when the ow of pressure duid is reversed, the pressureacts on the opposite side of the vanes 78 to turn the propeller units inthe opposite direction. Thus, the boat is capable of being steeredentirely bythe propeller units. This is made possible by the counterrotation of the propellers which equalizes the motor torque, that is,any tendency for one propeller to deviate from its intended direction iscounteracted by the other Yunit'.

The propeller units are 'brought into gear in forward and reversedirection by admitting pressure fluid to one or thek other ends ofthe'cylinder 99, ywhich'brings the clutch collar 90 into engagement withthe clutch faces of one or the other of the gears, depending upon thedirection that the boat is to be moved.

When it is desired to dock the b'oat, the propeller-'units may be raisedthrough the dotted lline position shown in Fig. 3 so as to bring them inan out of way position above the bottom of the boat. Should one or bothof the propeller units be contacted by a submerged object, the legportions of the units are merely kicked out of the supporting yokesuntil the object has been passed, after which the weight of the'unitsreturns them toseating engagement within the yokes of the brace' arms.The thrust of the propellers inmovin'g the boat through they water actsautomatically to retain the units in the yokes of the supporting arms onforward movement of the boat. While the rear of the yokes are open topermit the units to kick yup yunder engagement by a submerged object,under normal operating conditions the weight of the units will hold themin proper position in the yokes upon backing of the boat, however, ifdesired, the gear cases y44 and 45 may be latched to the bracket collars33 and 34 by suitable slide bolts (not shown) that may be actuated tolock the parts together Abefore placing the units in reverse.

From the foregoing it is obvious that I have provided a simple propellerdrive for boats equipped with inboard motors that has themaneuverability vand advantages of outboard motors without thedisadvantages of present intallations where the propeller shafts mustextend through packed bearings in the bottom of the boat.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A dual propeller drive for a motor boat having an inboard motor and atransom at the stern of the boat for mounting the propeller drive, saidpropeller drive including laterally spaced propeller units, means forindependently mounting the propeller units on the transom of the boatfor independent swinging movement rearf wardly and upwardly about a.common transverse axis,

Vunits to steer the boat, a common drive connection between thepropeller units"A and the inboard motor, said driving connectionincluding gears rotatable on the transverse axis meshing with gears ontheverticaluaxes of the propeller units with the gears in the verticalaxes being ,adapted to roll upon the gears in the transverse axis whenone of the propeller units swings rearwardly and upwardly o n thetransverse axis toy maintain said driving connections, and saidhydraulic steering means including exible tubular ducts to maintain thesteering connections intact'dui'ing movement of said one propeller unitfor propelling andsteering of the boat by the other propeller unit."

2. A dual propeller drive forY a motor boat having an inboard motor anda transom at the stern of the 'boat for mounting the propeller`drive,said propeller drive including laterallyspacedv propeller units,means for independently mounting the propeller units on the transom ofthe boat for independent swinging movement rearwardly and upwardly abouta` common transverse axis, brackets adapted for attachment to the sternof the boat and having yoke'portions seating the propeller units invertical position in opposite to thrust of the impellers of Asaid unitsand said yokes having open fronts for releasing a propeller unit toswing about the transverse axis in case the propeller unit shouldbeengaged by'an underwater obstruction, said propeller units having jointson which the propeller units are oscillatable about vertical axes,hydraulically actuated steering means interconnecting the propellerunits to steer 'the boat, a common drive'connection between thepropeller units andthe inboard motor, said driving connection' includinggears rotatable on the transverse axis meshing with gears inthe-verticalaxes of the propeller units withtlie gears in the vertical axes beingadaptedV to roll upon the gears inthe transverse axis to maintain thedriving connection when one of the propeller units swings rearwardly andupwardly on the transverse axis to vmaintain said driving connections,and said hydraulic steering means including exible tubular ducts tomaintain the steering connections intact during movement of said onepropeller unit for steering of the boat by the other propeller unit.

3. A dual propeller drive for a motor boat having an inboard motorand atransom at the stern of the boat for mounting the propeller drive, saidpropellery drive including a transverse housing havingv a stationarycentral section providing a gear case andjhaving oppositely directedtubular extensions, oscillatable sections having tubular portionsinvsleeved relation with the tubular extensions of the stationarycentral section and having independent connections with the extensionsof the central section in the axial directions thereof, saidoscillatableV sections having depending tubular portions at outer endsthereof, tubular housings having upper ends oscillatably connected withsaid tubular depending portions, a propeller unit on the lower end ofeach tubular housing, steering means interconnecting the tubularhousings for oscillating the propeller units to steer the boat, bracketsfor mounting on the transom of the boat and having rearwardly extendingbearing portions journaling the tubular portions of the oscillatablesections therein for supporting thel ynectfedwith thenpror'iellerunits,`, gears connecting 'outer y '.the .boat ,andkhaving`yoke'"portions Vseating"the".depending n .tubulamhosings in oppositionto; thrust ofthe propellers ...andsaid v,yokes V.having'Loperrifrontsfor re1easing1"the ...tubulanh y -.and r.ear.wrdlywith'thet'nhular portions of the oscillat- `able seetionaturning yt/itlainitheV bearing portions off the .brackets andJ yupcmlthe tubular.extensions .of thezcentraI ...section andab.o11t;,the,..axis..ofSaidlignedlshaftS in case af propeller...unit lshould, be engaged by Aan.underwater obstruction and nioved thereby out of its seatinthe yokeportion.; of.v its corresponding brace:v .arm while the other.,.propeller.. unit r.et`ai-ns`..,ts -vertical position and .with thedriving-and steering .connectionsjthereof*intact to steer and.propeldhefboaa y Y 4..'A..dua1 .propeller.drive" for., a motor boat,having .an nboardmotor and, a..transom. at, the sterno'the boat .forrnotuntngA the .propellerf..drive, .saidpropeller drive inngs toswingthe; Ypropeller unitsupwardly* .cluding a transversehousing having.astationaryhcentral gto provide. substantially. sernieircular.v.cham-bers, vanos.` on

.the s tubular housings androscillatable in-tsaid. chambers, (..xduct.means. connecting the portions.. ofthe chambers. on'

:opposite: sides. of. .theivanesa of. one, v/t'ubularahousing with.thercorresponding-portions. .of the other, .means-connected ...withiheduct. means forv supplying Yandexhaustinga ..1:res rlsnre. fluid 4fromtheportions of the ,chambers on `opposite .sides ofthevanesafonfoscillating the propeller units.to lsteer theboat,bracketsfor.l attachment toi. the vtransom -of ether boatf'and; h'ving-4rearwardly"extendingiy bearing Y portions" journaling theosillatable'esectionsof 'ftheftrans- '=-versef'ho11sing and im'whichfthe os'illatablesectionsfare `movable g-independentlyof' 4ea'clrother;a drivesh'aft' jourthe rinb'oa'rd motor; ylsh'aftf'mea-nsy ljournaledv-in thai-trans VVAAverse housing, gears-inthe-fgear caselinterconnectingthe 'drive'shaftWith-thetshaft rneansgwerticalfshaftsrotatable 10fwithin`=the dependingitubnla'rv housings 1and-having`-lowerends connectedWithithef'propeller units, Lgearsl connecting endsof theshaftemeans withthe upper. ends of the" ver tical shafts, bracearmsEr-fon-'attachm'ent tothe; stern-"of f "the-boat and'havingyokepo'rtions seating theV depending 15 tubular-housings inopposition :td-thrust offthe-fpropellers f and said Ayokeshavingopenefron-ts--forfreleasingithe tubular housings to swing f therv`propellerl -units upwardly randwrear- -wa'rdly aboutI theaxis of the'shaft means in l'caser ay pro- -pelleriuiiit should-engage fan;underwater obstruction while the other propeller unit-retains#tsverticalpositions-with l*the drivingland steering-connections Athereof intactVto steer and propel thewboan f -ing=v the bracefpartsT-theren and having`meansl forfattachmenti to' thesternA fofithe. fboatf; one o-said partshaving;l a -f-sries1 offfopeningsfandl the therfanopen-ing adapted tobel5 A'ldual'vpropellerfdrivefor a-motorbo'at asY described in claim 2wherein the brackets comprise'brace `parts 'carryingthe-ylokesgand-tubular parts adjustably contain- Vregistered' iwitlafone'of! the-series Sofopeningsv and a-v pin/extending .throughtheyregisteringop enin gs.

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